Following Fenerbahçe’s final match of the Super Lig campaign, manager Jose Mourinho voiced his strong dissatisfaction with his team’s season, lamenting “strange things” that he believes impacted the title race.
The Portuguese coach’s remarks came after a tumultuous period that saw his side finish a distant 11 points behind arch-rivals Galatasaray in the battle for the Turkish top-flight title.
The season also ended in disappointment on the European stage, with Fenerbahçe exiting the Europa League at the Last 16 stage after a defeat to Rangers. Beyond the on-field results, Mourinho’s tenure has been marked by a series of high-profile controversies.
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Throughout the season, he faced a ban for an incident involving Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk and initiated legal action against the Istanbul rivals following accusations of racism. Reports also indicated a public dispute between Mourinho and Fenerbahçe player Allan Saint-Maximin, in addition to his outspoken criticisms of Turkish football and its referees.
Speaking to reporters after Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 victory over Konyaspor on Saturday, the former coach of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Real Madrid delivered a candid assessment of the season.
“We finished second in the league, that wasn’t our goal,” Mourinho stated. “We actually had a good season until we lost the title. It was difficult to get the team back on track.”
He alluded to unspecified issues that he felt hindered his team’s progress. “Strange things happened in the league and also against Rangers. I can’t describe it,” he added, without elaborating further. “Overall, it was a disappointing season.”
Mourinho acknowledged the impact of dashed hopes on the fanbase. “When a new coach arrives, people get hope. If we compare this to the phase when there was no chance of winning the championship, people lose motivation, the stadium is empty and there are reactions.”
Despite the challenging circumstances, Mourinho was quick to defend his players. “I don’t blame my players, they are human and professional. They are the first to feel sad about the bad results. I am not happy.” His comments underscore a challenging period for the club and its high-profile manager.
